March 15, 2006

US movie theaters may ask to jam cell phones

US movie theater owners faced with falling attendance are considering asking federal authorities for permission to jam cell phone reception in an attempt to stop annoying conversations during films, the head of the industry's trade group said on Tuesday, reports Reuters.

"We will actually petition the Federal Communications (Commission) to remove the block" on jamming cell phones", said John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theater Owners".

Related:

-- Cell Phone Jammers Authorized in French Theaters - The French Government approved a decision of the Telecommunication Authority Regulation, to authorize cell phone jammers in theaters and movie houses. The government specificed that the cell phone jammers must not interfere with communications made outside of the theaters and not come in the way of emergency calls.